Animal Licensing
The City of San Antonio requires vaccinations and licensing for dogs and cats. Any unlicensed dog, cat or ferret may be seized and impounded. If your pet has a current vaccination certificate, bring it for licensing to the Animal Control Facility at 201 Tuleta, across from the San Antonio Zoo; the phone number is (210) 737-1442. You may also obtain your pet’s license from a local veterinarian at the time of vaccination. The Animal Defense League has vaccination drives where pets can receive shots at reduced rates; call (210) 655-1481. You may adopt a dog or cat next door at the ADL’s Adoption Center, (210) 655-1481, or at the Humane Society, (210) 226-7461. Note that San Antonio has a leash law; your dog must be either leashed or in a fenced yard.

Calling San Antonio from Outside Texas
The main area code for San Antonio is 210. Some outlying counties use 830. Unless otherwise specified, use the 210 area code for all phone numbers listed in this guide.

Driver’s License and Registration General Information
Permanent Texas residents must obtain a Texas driver’s license and Texas plates within 30 days of arrival. New licenses are $24 or, if you’re renewing, $16. They’re issued for four years. For information on registering an automobile in Texas, call the Motor Vehicle Registration/Titling Department of the County Tax Assessor’s Office at (210) 335-6621, or go to www.txdps.state.tx.us. Registration must be renewed yearly thereafter; this can be handled by mail, allowing two weeks for delivery.

If you have teenagers and want to save money on driver’s education, there’s a state law that allows parents to get a state-approved home-school driver’s education program that costs $20 rather than the $200–$300 forprivate driving lessons.

License tags may also be purchased at Bexar County Tax Offices:

Northeast:
3370 Nacodoches • (210) 335-6653

Southside:
666 SW Military Drive • (210) 335-6654

Northwest:
6812 Bandera Road & Poss Road • (210) 335-6655

Downtown:
233 N. Pecos la Trinidad • (210) 335-6656

Auto Liability Insurance
In Texas, automobiles must be covered by minimum limits of liability insurance in accordance with the Texas Motor Safety Responsibility Act of 1981. Minimum limits are $20,000 to $40,000 bodily injury liability and $15,000 property damage liability for any licensed motor vehicle. Current proof of financial responsibility (usually automobile insurance) is required to obtain or renew a driver’s license, to register a car, and upon issuance of a safety inspection sticker.

Vehicle Inspections
Annual automobile inspections are required in Texas and must be completed before registering an automobile or obtaining a Texas license plate. Vehicle inspections are done at some local gas stations and cost $12.50 for in-state vehicles.

Curfew
There’s a citywide curfew prohibiting those 16 and younger from being in a public place from 10:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekends.

Garage Sales
Those wishing to hold garage salesmust obtain a permit. Garage sales are limited to two per year and cannot last longerthan two days. Permits may be purchased at H-E-B grocery stores or Community Link Service Centers.